Andy Robinson's departure from Twickenham is set to be confirmed today despite a stay of execution last night. The Rugby Football Union has revealed that the head coach will no longer be attending a three-day World Cup meeting in France this week, a clear sign that his unsuccessful reign is over.

Although there was no RFU statement yesterday, the 42-year-old Robinson has failed to persuade his bosses to extend his reign after a dismal run of autumn results. A record of 13 defeats in 22 Tests since he took over from Sir Clive Woodward two years ago made his departure inevitable. Only the precise terms under which he will leave his post remain to be finalised after a series of meetings which began at 10am yesterday. The former Bath flanker has steadfastly refused to resign but even his supporters within the RFU regarded Saturday's 25-14 defeat by South Africa as the final straw.

England's fans lost faith some time ago in Robinson's ability to rise above the problems inherent in his country's domestic structure. He barely survived a cull last April, when his assistant coaches went, and was criticised for a number of strange selectorial decisions.

Robinson will be best remembered for his coaching role in the 2003 World Cup triumph under Woodward but he inherited an ageing side and proved unable to halt England's decline. Long-term injuries and retirements to key players complicated his plans. The team have lost eight of their past nine Tests and have slipped to seventh in the world rankings.

England have nine months and 10 Tests to stitch together a credible defence of the Webb Ellis Cup. The existing assistant coaching team of Brian Ashton, John Wells and Mike Ford have been in their jobs only since May and the RFU must decide whether Rob Andrew, its elite rugby director, should assume a more hands-on role.

Big names from overseas such as Warren Gatland, Nick Mallett and Eddie Jones would cost a lot of money and successful English club coaches such as Richard Hill of Bristol and Gloucester's Dean Ryan might prefer to bide their time. England's World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson and Harlequins' director of rugby Dean Richards are also among the contenders.